Abstract

XEROSTOMIA: MANAGEMENT BY THE USE OF MEDICINAL HERBS.

Surabhi Shakya* and Dr. Archana Negi Shah

ABSTRACT

The condition of dryness in the oral cavity is generally occurred in the aged people who are suffering from some diseases like cancer, diabetes or salivary glands hypofunction and are on multiple medications. This condition is commonly referred as Xerostomia. Many of the conventional drugs used in the management of this condition of hyposalivation but most of the medicinal herbs are also quite effective in improving the conditions of hyposalivation by acting directly on the salivary glands and employed as sialagogues. Spilanthol present in Akarkara induce the saliva secretion and well known for its toothache property because of its analgesic action. Mucilaginous nature of marshmallow root sooths the dry oral cavity and used as sialagogue. Pilocarpine has to property to bind with the M3 muscarinic receptor in salivary glands and potentiate the effect of salivary glands for definite duration by increasing its secretion. Capsaicin from the Capsicum annum also significantly increases the salivary secretion.

Keywords: Xerostomia, Sialagogues, Dry mouth, Ginger, Marshmallow, Spilanthol, Pilocarpine.